Killer Underwear Invasion! is a humorous book to help kids learn about what disinformation is and how to tell real news from fake news. Elise Gravel uses comical, colourful creatures to present a serious subject in a hilarious way. Through this, students are given the critical thinking skills needed to interact with media and digital media texts.

After explaining what fake news is, comedic examples are given to show students the reasons behind why people create fake news and how easy it can be to believe it. As the book continues, it shows why disinformation can be dangerous and what happens when it spirals out of control. Confirmation bias is explained and analyzed in a way that allows students to understand that it is something they all need to deal with.

Gravel provides clear methods of discerning real news from fake news and teaches students to think critically, which is a necessary skill for anyone consuming any kind of news in 2024. The book also teaches students that they need to check their sources and think about the difference between fact and opinion; they can’t just read the headlines.

Killer Underwear Invasion! is a necessary addition to any classroom and a must-read for anyone teaching students from grades 3 to 8. The book doesn’t just address specific news stories, it teaches students how to research and analyze information to make their own decisions about what to believe regarding news they consume, whatever the source might be.

It also fits perfectly with the Language curriculum expectations, as there are connections to digital media literacy in Strands A, C, and D. In Strand A, students learn about their rights and responsibilities when interacting online, when making decisions, and when developing their digital identity. In Strand C students learn to apply the conventions of digital and media texts to analyze the relationships between the content, the audiences, and the creators. Finally, in Strand C they learn how to communicate their message to an audience in a respectful and responsible manner.

Students will be engaged by Gravel’s fun illustrations and comedic writing while still thinking seriously about the very important topic of fake news.

Jane Ranson is a member of the Limestone Teacher Local.